PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – Dr. the Honourable Surujrattan Rambachan, Trinidad’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, met on Friday, August 6 with Her Excellency Beatrice Wilkinson-Welters, Ambassador of the United States of America to continue discussions relating to consular relations between both countries. The meeting which was requested by the Ambassador was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The open discussions focused on addressing the challenges identified by Trinidad and Tobago nationals seeking entry into the United States, including students, individuals seeking specialised medial attention and business persons.
Minister Rambachan reaffirmed his Government’s appreciation of the immigration regulations but expressed concerns about the application of the regulations.
US Embassy officials outlined the established regulations which are applicable to United States Consular Offices worldwide. Thus, for example the processing fee is the same internationally. Two points were advanced as possible reasons for the denial of a visa:
(i) That the applicant may be an intended immigrant; and
(ii) If further documents were required
Ambassador Wilkinson-Welters indicated that attempts would be made to provide whereever possible the reasons for the denial of an application.
Both parties agreed to continue having frank discussions in order to address the concerns raised with Consular matters.
